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Author Information

Meghan Rieu Werden

Abstract/Description

Relationships between gastrointestinal (GI) problems, anxiety, and depression were investigated in two studies using non-clinical populations. Study 1 measures included the trait anxiety scale from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression scale (CES-D), and the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40). Study 2 measures included the STAI, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS), portions of which were used to assess anxious mood state and depressed mood state. Trait anxiety predicted stomach cramps; anxious mood state predicted nausea and general GI problems; and depression predicted stomach problems. Findings suggest that psychological factors may be involved in physical symptoms.

Note on the Author

Meghan Werden graduated from Bridgewater State College in May 2008, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. This paper was written for a Directed Study in Psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Spievak, and was presented in poster form at the ATP 8th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Rights Statement

Articles published in The Undergraduate Review are the property of the individual contributors and may not be reprinted, reformatted, repurposed or duplicated, without the contributor’s consent.

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